Sudan signs deal with rebel group
Molly Burns
On Tuesday, February 23, 2010 the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, signed a framework ceasefire deal in Qatar with one of Darfur's main rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement, also known as JEM. According to the to the text of the agreement, obtained by the BBC, the deal includes an agreement for the JEM to cease fire at the midnight after the treaty is signed and an outline of a deal that would ensure power sharing “at all levels.” This would mean the rebel group will constitute a political party after the signing of a final agreement and members of the group would be offered government seats as well. The agreement will be an important step in achieving peace in the region, although the other main rebel group (the Sudan Liberation Army) has refused to enter negotiations. Although JEM has hinted that it may not sign the final deal due to elections coming shortly after the March 15th deadline, officials have said further talks will continue and will eventually lead to the resolution. To learn more or to donate go to www.savedarfur.com
- Ceasefire: a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions
- Argument for: The agreement would be an important step in creating peace in the war-torn region of Darfur, especially because the JEM is one of two main groups opposing the government. Involvement of JEM members in the government will hopefully prevent further violence, as the JEM originally took up arms against the government on accusations that they were favoring people of Arab decent over African. According to the United Nations, as many as 300,000 people have died in Darfur (the region of Sudan that has been the focus of the conflict) since 2003.
- Argument against: No agreement can be a true resolution until all groups involved are included
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